Computational Fluid Dynamics Evaluation Research Articles

CFD evaluation of new second-skin facade concept for wind comfort on building balconies: Case study for the Park Tower in Antwerp

High wind speed around high-rise buildings can lead to wind discomfort or wind danger at building balconies. This paper presents the evaluation of a new facade concept that is intended to significantly reduce the wind speed and therefore improve wind comfort on the balconies of high-rise buildings. The concept consists of a staggered semi-open second-skin facade in front of the balconies, which partly shields them from the wind. The concept is evaluated for the new 78 m high Park Tower in the urban area of Antwerp, where it will be implemented. 3D steady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed for the case with and without this facade concept. The simulations are made with the realizable k–ε turbulence model on a high-resolution grid. Validation is conducted using wind-tunnel measurements of surface pressure distribution on a building model with balconies. Wind comfort for the Park Tower is assessed with the Dutch wind nuisance standard NEN8100 for the case with and without the second-skin facade concept. The analysis shows that this concept is effective in providing a zone with pressure equalisation at the balconies. The related reduction in pressure gradients across the width of the facade strongly decreases the local wind speed. At many positions along the balconies this yields a wind comfort improvement of one or even two classes in the Dutch wind nuisance standard compared to the situation without implementation of this concept.

Aero-optical jitter estimation using higher-order wavefronts

Wavefront measurements from wind tunnel or flight testing of an optical system are affected by jitter sources due to the measurement platform, system vibrations, or aero-mechanical buffeting. Depending on the nature of the testing, the wavefront jitter will be a composite of several effects, one of which is the aero-optical jitter; i.e., the wavefront tilt due to random air density fluctuations. To isolate the aero-optical jitter component from recent testing, we have developed an estimation technique that uses only higher-order wavefront measurements to determine the jitter. By analogy with work done previously with free-stream turbulence, we have developed a minimum mean-square error estimator using higher-order wavefront modes to compute the current-frame tilt components through a linear operation. The estimator is determined from computational fluid dynamics evaluation of aero-optical disturbances, but does not depend on the strength of such disturbances. Applying this technique to turret flight test data, we found aero-optical jitter to be 7.7±0.8 μrad and to scale with (ρ/ρ SL )M 2 (∼1 μrad in the actual test cases examined). The half-power point of the aero-optical jitter variance was found to be ∼2u ∞ /D t and to roll off in temporal frequency with a power law between f −11/3 and f −10/3 .

Computational Fluid Dynamics Evaluation of Equivalency in Hemodynamic Alterations Between Driver, Integrity, and Similar Stents Implanted Into an Idealized Coronary Artery

We tested the hypothesis that a slight modification in fabrication from the Driver to the Integrity stent (Medtronic) results in nearly equivalent distributions of wall shear stress (WSS) and mean exposure time (MET), reflective of flow stagnation, and that these differences are considerably less than the Multi-Link Vision (Abbott Vascular) or BX Velocity (Cordis) bare metal stents when evaluated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Arteries were modeled as idealized straight rigid vessels without lesions. Two vessel diameters (2.25 and 3.0 mm) were studied for each stent and 2.75 mm diameter Integrity stents were also modeled to quantify the impact from best- and worst-case orientations of the stent struts relative to the primary blood flow direction. All stents were 18 mm in length and over-deployed by 10%. The results indicated that, regardless of diameter, the BX Velocity stents had the greatest percentage of the vessel exposed to adverse WSS followed by the Vision, Integrity, and Driver stents. In general, when strut thickness and stent:lumen ratio are similar, the orientation of struts is a determining factor for deleterious flow patterns. For a given stent, the number of struts was a larger determinant of adverse WSS and MET than strut orientation, suggesting that favorable blood flow patterns can be achieved by limiting struts to those providing adequate scaffolding. In conclusion, the Driver and Integrity stents both limit their number of linkages to those which provide adequate scaffolding while also maintaining similar strut thickness and stent:lumen ratios. The Integrity stent also imparts a slight helical velocity component. The modest difference in the fabrication approach between the Driver and Integrity stents is, therefore, not hemodynamically substantial in this idealized analysis, particularly relative to potentially adverse flow conditions introduced by the other stents modeled. This data was used in conjunction with associated regulatory filings and submitted to the FDA as part of the documents facilitating the recent approval for sale of the Resolute Integrity stent in the United States.

CFD evaluation of natural ventilation of indoor environments by the concentration decay method: CO2 gas dispersion from a semi-enclosed stadium

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations can be used to assess indoor natural ventilation by solving the interaction between the urban wind flow and the indoor airflow. The air exchange rate (ACH) can be obtained from the simulated volume flow rates through the ventilation openings or by the concentration decay method that is often used in experimental studies. This paper presents 3D unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) CFD simulations to reproduce the decay of CO2 concentration in a large semi-enclosed stadium. The study focuses on the hours after a concert, when the indoor CO2 concentration generated by the attendants has reached a maximum. The wind flow, indoor airflow and dispersion of heat, water vapour and CO2 are modelled on a high-resolution grid based on a grid-sensitivity analysis. The simulations are validated with on-site measurements of wind velocity and CO2 concentration decay. The validated CFD model is used to analyse the significant horizontal and vertical CO2 concentration gradients in the stadium, showing local differences at t=300s up to 700ppm (i.e. 37% of the maximum of 1900ppm). A specific piecewise-linear technique is applied for the concentration decay method to determine the ACH values for smaller time-intervals. This is needed because the plotted semi-logarithmic decay curve itself is not linear because the ventilation rate changes over time, due to the changing buoyancy forces. It shows that the ACH values decrease from about 2h−1 at the beginning of the concentration decay simulations to about 0.3h−1 at the end.

A bidirectional coupling procedure applied to multiscale respiratory modeling

In this study, we present a novel multiscale computational framework for efficiently linking multiple lower-dimensional models describing the distal lung mechanics to imaging-based 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) models of the upper pulmonary airways in order to incorporate physiologically appropriate outlet boundary conditions. The framework is an extension of the modified Newton’s method with nonlinear Krylov accelerator developed by Carlson and Miller [1], Miller [2] and Scott and Fenves [3]. Our extensions include the retention of subspace information over multiple timesteps, and a special correction at the end of a timestep that allows for corrections to be accepted with verified low residual with as little as a single residual evaluation per timestep on average. In the case of a single residual evaluation per timestep, the method has zero additional computational cost compared to uncoupled or unidirectionally coupled simulations. We expect these enhancements to be generally applicable to other multiscale coupling applications where timestepping occurs. In addition we have developed a “pressure-drop” residual which allows for stable coupling of flows between a 3D incompressible CFD application and another (lower-dimensional) fluid system. We expect this residual to also be useful for coupling non-respiratory incompressible fluid applications, such as multiscale simulations involving blood flow.The lower-dimensional models that are considered in this study are sets of simple ordinary differential equations (ODEs) representing the compliant mechanics of symmetric human pulmonary airway trees. To validate the method, we compare the predictions of hybrid CFD–ODE models against an ODE-only model of pulmonary airflow in an idealized geometry. Subsequently, we couple multiple sets of ODEs describing the distal lung to an imaging-based human lung geometry. Boundary conditions in these models consist of atmospheric pressure at the mouth and intrapleural pressure applied to the multiple sets of ODEs. In both the simplified geometry and in the imaging-based geometry, the performance of the method was comparable to that of monolithic schemes, in most cases requiring only a single CFD evaluation per time step. Thus, this new accelerator allows us to begin combining pulmonary CFD models with lower-dimensional models of pulmonary mechanics with little computational overhead. Moreover, because the CFD and lower-dimensional models are totally separate, this framework affords great flexibility in terms of the type and breadth of the adopted lower-dimensional model, allowing the biomedical researcher to appropriately focus on model design. Research funded by the National Heart and Blood Institute Award 1RO1HL073598.

CFD evaluation of turbulence models for flow simulation of the fuel rod bundle with a spacer assembly

Abstract Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is increasingly being used in nuclear reactor safety (NRS) analyses to describe safety-relevant phenomena occurring in the reactor coolant system in greater detail. This paper presents the results of numerical issues such as mesh refinement, wall treatment and appropriate definition of boundary conditions, which exert great influence on the results of a CFD simulation. A high quality computational mesh was used to investigate the choice of turbulence model appropriate for the complex swirling flow in the rod bundle subchannels. The performance of various turbulence models are evaluated by calculation of the Nusselt number distribution in a fuel bundle. Comparison between numerical and experimental results of lateral and axial distributions for the Nusselt number obtained via turbulence model without near-wall functions is not sufficiently good, while agreement is found between the computational simulation of the realizable k –epsilon model with near-wall functions and the experimental measurements, for locations close to the support grid. As a result of this study, we have been able to determine the most appropriate turbulence models and the best enhanced wall treatment for modeling reactor coolant systems.

Computational fluid dynamics evaluation of liquid food thermal process in a brick shaped package

Food processes must ensure safety and high-quality products for a growing demand consumer creating the need for better knowledge of its unit operations. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been widely used for better understanding the food thermal processes, and it is one of the safest and most frequently used methods for food preservation. However, there is no single study in the literature describing thermal process of liquid foods in a brick shaped package. The present study evaluated such process and the influence of its orientation on the process lethality. It demonstrated the potential of using CFD to evaluate thermal processes of liquid foods and the importance of rheological characterization and convection in thermal processing of liquid foods. It also showed that packaging orientation does not result in different sterilization values during thermal process of the evaluated fluids in the brick shaped package.

CFD simulations of separate effects in an HTGR lower plenum under air ingress condition

The local heat transfer in an HTGR lower plenum is investigated at the Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague with collaboration with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). NRC has initiated efforts to build a technical infrastructure necessary to support licensing activities for HTGR's. These efforts include the development and evaluation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools to analyze the system during various conditions. In this case air ingress condition is investigated. The local heat transfer under air ingress condition is strongly affected by the physical phenomena such as molecular diffusion and natural circulation. These separate effects are not yet well understood. Therefore, in the first phase of research it is necessary to perform separate-effects simulations. The CFD solver is exercised and the results are compared with experimental data. The separate-effect benchmarking of the CFD code includes simulations of two separate phases of the JAERI experiments: isothermal molecular diffusion of a binary gas mixture and non-isothermal diffusion and natural circulation of a binary gas mixture. Computational model of experimental apparatus consists of a vertical inverted U-tube connected at the bottom to a cylindrical tank. Commercial CFD solver Fluent 6.3 was used for the simulations. The influence of the size of computational mesh and length of time step of unsteady solver was studied. For the simulation of isothermal molecular diffusion the coarser mesh with about 9000 hexahedral cells was suitable. The length of time step about 0.05s seems to be optimal. The non-isothermal diffusion and natural circulation simulations were made and compared with experimental data. The onset time of the natural circulation was simulated in good agreement with experiment with small deviation of 2.3%.

A study of hydrocyclone classification of coal fines by CFD modeling and laboratory tests

The elimination of ultrafine (<10 µm) clay particles is essential to the treatment of abandoned coal-washing plant tailings for the recovery of the remaining coal fraction by enhanced gravity processing. Effective hydrocyclone classification is required to remove this fraction. The highly variable composition and particle size distribution of such wastes creates significant difficulties in the operation of hydrocyclones for such classifications. Hydrocyclone laboratory investigations and their plant setup require lengthy or time-consuming tests. The use of empirical models of such classifications frequently requires modification to correspond to actual operating conditions. Results of the evaluation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to predict hydrocyclone classification of coal-washing plant tailings are presented. Results of the standard k-epsilon turbulence, SSG turbulence and large eddy simulation CFD models are compared with the results obtained from analyzed hydrocyclone classifications. The CFD models tested are shown to be very effective in the simulation of hydrocyclone classifications for the determination of the classification particle size and adequate for determining the efficiency index values for many applications. The large eddy simulation model was identified as the most precise, but it is recommended that all three models be improved simulations of classifications above and below the classification particle size.

A venturi-shaped roof for wind-induced natural ventilation of buildings: Wind tunnel and CFD evaluation of different design configurations

Wind tunnel experiments and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) are used to analyse the flow conditions in a venturi-shaped roof, with focus on the underpressure in the narrowest roof section (contraction). This underpressure can be used to partly or completely drive the natural ventilation of the building zones. The wind tunnel experiments are performed in an atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel at scale 1:100. The 3D CFD simulations are performed with steady RANS and the RNG k-ɛ model. The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to evaluate the accuracy of steady RANS and the RNG k-ɛ model for this application and (2) to assess the magnitude of the underpressures generated with different design configurations of the venturi-shaped roof. The CFD simulations of mean wind speed and surface pressures inside the roof are generally in good agreement (10–20%) with the wind tunnel measurements. The study shows that for the configuration without guiding vanes, large negative pressure coefficients are obtained, down to −1.35, with reference to the free-stream wind speed at roof height. The comparison of design configurations with and without guiding vanes shows an – at least at first sight – counter-intuitive result: adding guiding vanes strongly decreases the absolute value of the underpressure. The reason is that the presence of the guiding vanes increases the flow resistance inside the roof and causes more wind to flow over and around the roof, and less wind through it (wind-blocking). As a result, the optimum configuration is the one without guiding vanes.

CFD evaluation of thermal convection inside the DACON convection sensor in actual space flight

A CFD(Computational Fluid Dynamics) model has been developed using the commercial CFD package FLUENT for the thermal convection inside air filled cylindrical DACON sensor, where the onboard time dependent gravitational micro acceleration has been considered. Time dependent, curve fitted gravitational accelera-tion in x- and y-axes from published data have been incorporated in FLUENT through a User Defined Function (UDF), developed in C which includes space craft rotation. At the sensor plane the two-dimensional flow has also been visualized. A good agreement is between simu-lation and published experimental data. Last but not the least, for checking its response to suffi-ciently strong perturbations in an orbital flight, physical and numerical experiments are carried out where an astronaut swung the sensor in hands along the y axis with amplitude of 10cm and a frequency of 0.2 Hz. A good qualitative validation has been achieved between CFD and actual experimental results.

Point-Collocation Nonintrusive Polynomial Chaos Method for Stochastic Computational Fluid Dynamics

This paper describes a point-collocation nonintrusive polynomial chaos technique used for uncertainty propagation in computational fluid dynamics simulations. The application of point-collocation nonintrusive polynomial chaos to stochastic computational fluid dynamics is demonstrated with two examples: 1) a stochastic expansion-wave problem with an uncertain deflection angle (geometric uncertainty) and 2) a stochastic transonic-wing case with uncertain freestream Mach number and angle of attack. For each problem, input uncertainties are propagated with both the nonintrusive polynomial chaos method and Monte Carlo techniques to obtain the statistics of various output quantities. Confidence intervals for Monte Carlo statistics are calculated using the bootstrap method. For the expansion-wave problem, a fourth-degree polynomial chaos expansion, which requires five deterministic computational fluid dynamics evaluations, has been sufficient to predict the statistics within the confidence interval of 10,000 crude Monte Carlo simulations. In the transonic-wing case, for various output quantities of interest, it has been shown that a fifth-degree point-collocation nonintrusive polynomial chaos expansion obtained with Hammersley sampling was capable of estimating the statistics at an accuracy level of 1000 Latin hypercube Monte Carlo simulations with a significantly lower computational cost. Overall, the examples demonstrate that the point-collocation nonintrusive polynomial chaos has a promising potential as an effective and computationally efficient uncertainty propagation technique for stochastic computational fluid dynamics simulations.

Reduced-Order Nonlinear Unsteady Aerodynamic Modeling Using a Surrogate-Based Recurrence Framework

A reduced-order nonlinear unsteady aerodynamic modeling approach suitable for analyzing pitching/plunging airfoils subject to fixed or time-varying freestream Mach numbers is described. The reduced-order model uses kriging surrogates to account for flow nonlinearities and recurrence solutions to account for time-history effects associated with unsteadiness. The resulting surrogate-based recurrence framework generates time-domain predictionsofunsteadylift,moment,anddragthataccuratelyapproximate computational fluiddynamicssolutions, but at a fraction of the computational cost. Results corresponding to transonic conditions demonstrate that the surrogate-based recurrence framework can mimic computational fluid dynamics predictions of unsteady aerodynamic responses when flow nonlinearities are present. For an unsteady aerodynamic modeling problem considered in this study, an accurate reduced-order model was generated by the surrogate-based recurrence framework approach with significantly fewer computational fluid dynamics evaluations compared to results reported in the literature for a similar problem in which a proper-orthogonal-decomposition-based approach was applied. Furthermore, the results show that the surrogate-based approach can accurately model time-varying freestream Mach number effects and is therefore applicable to rotary-wing applications in addition to fixed-wing applications.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Evaluation of Heat Transfer Correlations for Sodium Flows in a Heat Exchanger

A numerical study for the evaluation of heat transfer correlations for sodium flows in a heat exchanger of a fast breeder nuclear reactor is performed. Three different types of flows such as parallel flow, cross flow, and two inclined flows are considered. Calculations are performed for these three typical flows in a heat exchanger changing turbulence models. The tested turbulence models are the shear stress transport (SST) model and the SSG-Reynolds stress turbulence model by Speziale, Sarkar, and Gaski (1991, “Modelling the Pressure-Strain Correlation of Turbulence: An Invariant Dynamical System Approach,” J. Fluid Mech., 227, pp. 245–272). The computational model for parallel flow is a flow past tubes inside a circular cylinder and those for the cross flow and inclined flows are flows past the perpendicular and inclined tube banks enclosed by a rectangular duct. The computational results show that the SST model produces the most reliable results that can distinguish the best heat transfer correlation from other correlations for the three different flows. It was also shown that the SSG-RSTM high-Reynolds number turbulence model does not deal with the low-Prandtl number effect properly when the Peclet number is small. According to the present calculations for a parallel flow, all the old correlations do not match with the present numerical solutions and a new correlation is proposed. The correlations by Dwyer (1966, “Recent Developments in Liquid-Metal Heat Transfer,” At. Energy Rev., 4, pp. 3–92) for a cross flow and its modified correlation that takes into account of flow inclination for inclined flows work best and are accurate enough to be used for the design of the heat exchanger.

Flow Control Predictions Using Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Modeling: A Parametric Study

T HE effective control of flow separation promises substantial performance improvements for a wide variety of air vehicles. Although the methods are well known, there is very little by way of theory or numerical models that can adequately predict lift enhancements, drag reduction, etc. An attemptwasmade to address this problem by conducting a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation workshop for synthetic jets and turbulent separation control [1], where one casewas dedicated to predicting the nominally two-dimensional flow over a hump. The baseline (uncontrolled) case was considered in addition to control by means of steady suction [2] and zero-net-mass flux (oscillatory) blowing [3]. The workshop determined that CFD with steady or unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS or URANS) consistently overpredicted the reattachment location, regardless of turbulence model or method. Within the separation bubble, most computations predicted velocity profiles well but considerably underpredicted the magnitude of turbulent shear stresses. Large-eddy simulations and other costly methods appear capable of overcoming this deficiency, but the focus of the current study is on the more affordable RANS and URANS methodologies. See, for example, Krishnan et al. [4], Morgan et al. [5], and Saric et al. [6]. Although these individual test cases were challenging to CFD codes, only a single test case was considered for both steady suction and zero-net-mass flux blowing. During the course of the experimental investigation, however, steady and unsteady surface pressures were acquired for a wide variety of control parameters, including Reynolds number, suction flow rate, and frequency and blowing amplitude in the zero-net-mass flux case. Significant variations, or changes, in control authority were observed depending upon the control input or prevailing Reynolds numbers. For example, varying the suction flow rate at different Reynolds numbers indicated an increase in the rate of drag reduction; in contrast, no Reynolds number effect could be detected with regard to zero-net-mass flux blowing. In addition, for the oscillatory case, the flow was seen to be highly dependent on control frequency and peak blowing amplitude. Different, sometimes counteracting, mechanisms dominated the separated flowfield during different parts of the control cycle. Comparisons of these changes, or trends, with numerical results will clearly facilitate more precise evaluation of CFD’s value for predictive purposes. This is because the uncontrolled, or baseline, state is usually known and hence the correct prediction of changes to the baseline state as a result of a particular control strategy would be of great value for assessing different concepts or downselection. To address this need, Rumsey and Greenblatt [7] undertook a detailed parametric study and this Note presents a summary of the main findings.

Efficient Computational Fluid Dynamics Evaluation of Small-Device Locations with Automatic Local Remeshing

This paper describes a new efficient automatic remeshing method for three-dimensional hybrid meshes for viscous flow simulations to accommodate the meshes with changes of small devices quickly and easily. This remeshing method has two notable advantages. First, hybrid meshes can be generated automatically from a baseline mesh when the small devices are moved and/or deformed. This enables shape optimization techniques to find better models quickly, because tens or hundreds of meshes are usually required during the process. Second, the updated hybrid meshes are the same as the baseline mesh except for elements around the small devices. Their effect can be evaluated more accurately. Solution data from the baseline mesh can be shared with new hybrid meshes (e.g., as an initial condition to expedite the convergence of computational simulations). The remeshing method is applied to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's high-lift-configuration standard model with a nacelle chine in different locations to demonstrate its capability. Computational simulations are also performed to further discuss the effectiveness of the remeshing method.

Evaluation of a new computational fluid dynamics model for internal combustion engines using hydrogen under motoring conditions

The present work conducts a preliminary evaluation of a new CFD (computational fluid dynamics) model, which is under development at the authors' laboratory. Using this model, it is feasible to understand how the intake manifold and in-cylinder geometry affect the in-cylinder flow field and the mixing processes taking place in an Otto (spark-ignition) engine. The model is applied on a high-swirl, two-valve, four-stroke, transparent combustion chamber engine running under motoring conditions. To investigate the fuel–air mixing process, hydrogen is injected in the intake manifold. To evaluate the model three case studies are examined. First, the model is applied to simulate the external mixing in the intake manifold with a tee-mixer injection system. Secondly, the transient gas flow field in the intake manifold and engine cylinder is examined over the complete engine cycle. Finally, the transient mixing process in the intake manifold and the spatial and temporal distribution of species concentrations inside the cylinder are numerically computed using the developed model. To validate the model, the results obtained through the test cases examined are compared either with available experimental data or with simulated results, which are obtained using a commercially available CFD code applied under the same conditions.

Simultaneous CFD evaluation of wind flow and dust emission in open storage piles

Dust emission from storage yards is a multivariable problem to be solved not only at any new installation in order to obtain the licenses from the involved authorities but also at existing yards to continue the operation. Engineers have a great variety of methodologies available at the market to estimate such emissions, but in general the process is divided into two independent stages: wind flow analysis and application of emission rates into such wind pattern. This paper summarizes the research developed by this group to link both steps: by using CFX version 10.0, a powerful computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, the wind flow around the piles is predicted, or even through a complex yard, and at the same time by implementing new subroutines introduced into the standard software, the program is able to give a quantitative evaluation of the total fugitive dust.

CFD evaluation of hydrogen risk mitigation measures in a VVER-440/213 containment

In the PHARE project “Hydrogen Management for the VVER440/213” (HU2002/000-632-04-01), CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) calculations using GASFLOW, FLUENT and CFX were performed for the Paks NPP (Nuclear Power Plant), modelling a defined severe accident scenario which involves the release of hydrogen. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate that CFD codes can be used to model gas movement inside a containment during a severe accident. With growing experience in performing such analyses, the results encourage the use of CFD in assessing the risk of losing containment integrity as a result of hydrogen deflagrations. As an effective mitigation measure in such a situation, the implementation of catalytic recombiners is planned in the Paks NPP. In order to support these plans both unmitigated and recombiner-mitigated simulations were performed. These are described and selected results are compared. The codes CFX and FLUENT needed refinement to their models of wall and bulk steam condensation in order to be able to fully simulate the severe accident under consideration. Several CFD codes were used in parallel to model the same accident scenario in order to reduce uncertainties in the results. Previously it was considered impractical to use CFD codes to simulate a full containment subject to a severe accident extending over many hours. This was because of the expected prohibitive computing times and missing physical capabilities of the codes. This work demonstrates that, because of developments in the capabilities of CFD codes and improvements in computer power, these calculations have now become feasible.

CFD Evaluation of Droplet Drying Models in a Spray Dryer Fitted with a Rotary Atomizer

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of spray dryers requires a simple but sufficiently realistic drying model. This work evaluates two such models that are currently in discussion; reaction engineering approach (REA) and characteristic drying curve (CDC). Two versions of the CDC, linear and convex, drop in drying rate were included. Simulation results were compared to the overall outlet conditions obtained from our pilot-scale experiments. The REA and CDC with a linear drop in drying rate predicted the outlet conditions reasonably well. This is contrary to the kinetics determined previously. Analysis shows that the models exhibit different responses to changes in the initial feed moisture content. Utilizing different models did not result in significantly different particle trajectories. This is due to the low relaxation time of the particles. Despite the slight differences in the drying curves, both models predicted similar particle rigidity depositing the wall. For the first time in a CFD simulation, the REA model was extended to calculate the particle surface moisture, which showed promising results for wet particles. Room for improvement was identified when applying this concept for relatively dry particles.